Woman claims hospital injected wrong drug into her spine during knee surgery, leaving her unable to walk
A Nashville woman is seeking $150 million from Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, alleging that a medication error during knee replacement surgery left her with a permanent spinal cord injury.
Linda Gilbert, who was 78 at the time of the incident, alleges that hospital staff injected the wrong drug into her spinal canal during the procedure on Aug. 14. The medication error left her with incomplete paraplegia, severe weakness in both legs, and the inability to walk, drive or live independently.
Gilbert also developed shock and respiratory failure requiring a ventilator, according to her Nov. 6 complaint. The lawsuit alleges that her injuries are permanent, and she remained in inpatient rehabilitation at a spinal cord injury center in Atlanta when the lawsuit was filed.
Wrong Medication Administered
A total of four surgery patients received potassium phosphate instead of the intended anesthetic, mepivacaine. Potassium phosphate is used to treat low phosphorus levels and supply phosphorus in intravenous nutrition, but must be diluted and administered through a vein.
The drug's prescribing information warns that excessive doses or rapid intravenous administration can cause dangerous heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, seizures and death. These warnings concern intravenous use, rather than injection into the spinal canal as alleged in Gilbert's lawsuit.
Hospital Response
Gilbert's lawsuit claims that staff continued using syringes from the same batch after two earlier patients reported burning pain. It also alleges medication preparation and verification failures, along with delays in treatment.
Our hearts remain with the four patients and families impacted by the recent medication error that occurred at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown.
In a statement, the hospital said it was aware of the complaint and cooperating with the legal process. It also mentioned working with an independent quality consultant to "guide and verify the full scope of our corrective actions and process enhancements."
Background on Knee Replacements
About 790,000 total knee replacements are performed each year in the U.S., according to the American College of Rheumatology. Most patients experience substantial pain relief and improved mobility, with only 2% reporting serious complications, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states.
Medication safety recommendations emphasize the importance of clear labeling of drugs, including their names and concentrations, and reading the label to correctly identify each medication before administration.
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